The school year wrapped up last week. I’m happy to have a break and have time to do additional fun things with the kids. I say this, on the first day of the first week of summer break. The kids have swim lessons every day at the local college for the next two weeks- this will be our first time using that program.

Let’s get to creative stuff, shall we?

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Zinnia Blanket: This was a gift for my daughter’s teacher as a baby gift; she is expecting a baby girl early fall. The center pic above is the most accurate in color. I finished it THE NIGHT BEFORE SCHOOL ENDED. It took me working over 3 days to finish weaving in all the ends. It was all crocheted and whip stitched together by Sunday. I was rather ambitious using 4 colors for most squares (and 6 colors for 2)- weaving in the ends took significantly longer than anticipated. I was in such a rush to get it packed up for school Thursday morning, that I didn’t even measure the finished piece. I think its about 38-40″ square.

Usually I pop my finished project into the wash to make sure all the connections are good and to get any random detritus off (usually a leaf bit from working outside, or my hair). Welllllll- that couldn’t happen.
Our washing machine irreparably broke on Monday night. Spouse pulled it all apart and decided that a) it is an old machine he has repaired at least once before b) the piece that’s broken is THE piece that makes it “go” c) it will be simpler and faster to just order a new washer- that we have been talking about getting since we moved in. So we ordered a new fancy washer/dryer set that got delivered this past Saturday. The dryer was the same age and it has been repaired even more than the washer! Best of all: they work.

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After contemplating for awhile on how I wanted this shawl to look, I dove in last week (after finishing up the Zinnia). My first attempt wasn’t quite right. The two colorways, Until We Win and Fight, did not look best when separated. So I ripped back the first two sections and started again alternating the skeins 2×2 rows. The result is perfection. The first section (which I will use again later in the shawl) was perfect for easy knitting. The current lace section requires me to count (for pattern clarity) at the end of each row and accurately relay the changing amount between markers on the increase sections. The knitting itself is pretty easy to read and memorize the lace for this section.
The intent is for the lace sections to become progressively more open as the shawl progresses. I’m also writing the pattern into the formatting as I go; usually I transcribe my notes. This time I’m writing as I go- no wasting my time going between. I think this will help with my turn around.

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I finished 2 tiny baby hats out of a cotton blend yarn. I only took a picture of one of them today because the other happens to be misplaced. I moved around my workspace and not everything has been put in permanent homes yet. The turquoise cabled thing is going to be a top for my daughter. It started out as a top for me, but the cotton yarn was TEDIOUS with the cables. I never made it long enough to fit my torso, and all these years later I don’t believe it would actually fit around me. It is destined to be a top for my daughter. I’m going to add straps and a peplum style ruffle at the bottom. It is going to fit her for a couple years; once the peplum gets short, I can add a longer fabric ruffle.

I also made a couple water bottle holders. The small one is for my daughter, she has a small/short water bottle. The large one is mine, it holds my giant 40 oz water bottle. Interesting note: the bottom of both holders are identical in size. The only significant difference is the height of the piece, mine is twice the height. She wanted a crossbody strap, I just wanted a small handle. Nice cotton scrap stash-busting project!

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I finally just picked a person off Etsy to make my logo tags. The turn around was super FAST and the shipping was also reasonable. From order to delivery, it was less than a week. I seriously love them. They make my work look so professional. Or at least I feel the tags elevate the finished project. I’m thinking of getting some smaller fabric ones for my sewing projects.